In a word, this schedule is BUSY

Today, Wednesday:Astros hurler Mike Fiers will look to reverse a trend of four straight losses that has dropped his mark to 7-7 when he meets Nationals pitcher Edwin Jackson, who brings his 4-2 record to Minute Maid Park for a 7:10pm contest. AT&T Sportsnet will air the broadcast starting with their pregame show at 6:30pm.

Tomorrow, Thursday:A host of volleyball teams will be in tournament action, as both Hitchcock and La Marque will participate at the Rice Consolidated Tournament, while Dickinson travels to Leander to take part in the annual Volleypalooza Tourney. Friendswood and Galveston Ball will also be in tournament play, as both the Mustangs and Tors will be at the George Ranch Tournament.

Both Hitchcock and La Marque will have their final tune-ups before the start of the regular season, with the Bulldogs football team visiting Brazosport at 6:00pm. The Cougars will be at home to take on Wharton beginning at 7:00pm.

Texas City’s tennis team will also be in action, as the Stingarees’ boys and girls teams meet La Porte beginning at 4:00pm.

The Astros conclude their series against the the visiting Nationals with an elite-level pitching matchup as Houston ace Dallas Keuchel puts his 11-2 record and 2.58 ERA against Washington ace Stephen Strasburg, who comes into the contest with a 10-4 mark and 3.24 ERA. The game will be aired by both MLB Network and AT&T Sportsnet beginning at 7:00pm.

Friday:The day and evening will offer a buffet of volleyball action and football scrimmages along with a late start as the Astros will be out west for the weekend.

In volleyball play, Clear Creek will be at Kingwood beginning at 5:30pm, while Cy Creek hosts Clear Brook and Clear Falls will be at Bellaire at 6:30pm.

Clear Springs begins the busy night of scrimmages when the Chargers take on state powerhouse Katy at the new, $70 million Katy ISD Legacy Stadium beginning at 6:00pm. Clear Brook meets Pasadena Dobie at 6:30pm, while Clear Creek at Pearland, Clear Falls at Texas City, CE King at Dickinson, Galveston Ball at Friendswood and Santa Fe at South Houston each start at 7:00pm

The Astros start a weekend set at a Los Angeles Angels team that began the week tied with Minnesota Twins for the final wild card spot in the American League. Colin McHugh gets the start for Houston and will be opposed by rookie Parker Bridwell beginning at 9:07pm. AT&T Sportsnet will air the contest starting with the pregame show at 8:30pm.

Saturday:In their penultimate preseason contest, the Texans visit New Orleans Saints beginning at 7:00pm. The game will be used to give the starters a more extensive look prior to the regular season opener against Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on September 10. With his success in last week’s preseason win over New England Patriots, Texas City’s D’Onta Foreman is also likely to see more snaps as he pushes Alfred Blue for the backup running back spot behind starter Lamar Miller. KTRK-13 will have the game live.

Brad Peacock gets the start for the Astros in the second game of the weekend set against Angels hurler Tyler Skaggs when the teams square off at 8:07pm. AT&TSportsnet will air the game beginning with their pregame show at 7:30pm.